Odisha Vigilance unearths suspected disproportionate assets of Chief Engineer

Bhubaneswar, Sept 20: The Odisha Vigilance team on Friday conducted a raid on N. V. Harihara Rao, Chief Engineer at the Chief Construction Engineer, Rural Works Circle in Balasore, as part of an investigation into allegations of disproportionate assets. The operation revealed two buildings, two suspected 'benami' flats, four high-value plots, and bank deposits totaling Rs 1.11 crore.

According to a release from the Vigilance department, the raids were executed simultaneously at 11 locations across Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore, Keonjhar, and Phulbani. The teams, consisting of 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police, seven inspectors, and 11 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, operated under search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.

Significantly, Rs 46.45 lakh in cash was discovered at the residence of Rao's brother-in-law, a government doctor stationed at Berhampur Jail.

The assets uncovered so far include, a double-storey building spanning over 2,100 square feet in Bhabinipur, Berhampur, a building covering 3,000 square feet in Patrapada, Bhubaneswar, a 3-BHK flat at Spectrum Green Apartment, Baidyanathpur, Kamapalli, Berhampur, two suspected benami flats—one located at Orchid Residency, Sundarpada, Bhubaneswar, and the other at Swastik Apartment, Baidyanathnagar, Berhampur, with ownership under verification, four high-value plots, including two in Bhubaneswar and one in Berhampur, bank deposits exceeding Rs 1.11 crore, cash amounting to Rs 46.45 lakh and one four-wheeler and one two-wheeler.

The Vigilance Technical Wing is currently assessing the measurements and valuations of the buildings, flats, and plots. They are also investigating the source of the large cash sum found in Rao's brother-in-law’s home. Additionally, a locker at the SBI Berhampur branch, registered in the name of Rao's spouse, remains unopened and is yet to be examined.